Contents

 

Number

The numbers have their obvious uses:

 

sg:

Denotes one thing and/or person

(1)

du:

Denotes exactly two things and/or persons.

(2)

pl:

Denotes three or more things and/or persons

(3)

 

Note:

 

sg may denote a class of individuals.

(4)

du is the proper en sole number by which duality is expressed.

(5)

pl of proper names denotes the area/country of him/her.

(6)

pl is often used in addressing a person of importance. (This applies to pronouns also.)

(7)

pl of the first person is commonly used denoting something singular or dual.

(8)

 

Examples:

 

Śiṣyau ācāryam pṛcchataḥ.

‘The two pupils ask the teacher’ (2 & 5)

 

Kim ambābhiḥ preṣitaḥ?

‘Are [you] sent by my revered mother?’ (7)